Improved lock for trunks



UNITED STATES PATENT Ormea.

J. G. KAST, OF NEWY YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO L. L. ARNOLD, OF SAME PLAGE.

' IMPROVED LOCK FOR TRUNKS.

Speciiication forming part of Letters Patent No. 58,548, dated October Q, 1866.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. KAsr, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Locks for Trunks, Ste., and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and e-Xact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being' had to the accompany ing drawings, forming part of this specification, in which` Figure l represents a longitudinal sectionv ot' this invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section ofthe same.

Similar letters ot'ret'erenceindicate li ke parts.

This invention relates to a lock for trunks, boxes, valises, and other similar articles; and it consists in a sliding bolt provided with two or more hooks, which, by the action of a spring, are caused to catch in corresponding sockets or staples secured to the lid or cover of the trunk, box, or other article. `The end ot' the sliding bolt is provided with a screw or other fastening, so lthat a key can be readily connected therewith, and by pulling on the key the hooks of the bolt can be disengaged from their sockets. A spring-stop, which rises automatically when the lid or cover is opened, retains the bolt in such a position that the cover or lid can be closed with ease and convenience.

A represents a case, made ot' sheet metal or other suitable material, and provided with suitable guides, a b, to receive and hold the bolt I3. This bolt slides in the case in a longitudinal direction, and it is provided with two or more hooks, c d, which are intended to catch in sockets or staples c f, secured to the lid or cover of the trunk, box, or other article to which the lock is secured. A spring, g, which is wound on the bolt, has a tendency to keep the hooks c d in their sockets, and in order to disengage the same a longitudinal sliding motion must be imparted to the bolt against the action of the spring. This pur pose is effected by a key, O, which is introduced through a suitable hole in the end of the case A, and which is provided with an internal screwihread, that screws on the end of the bolt B. The safety of the lock can be increased by a spring, b, which is secured to the case A, and drops in a notch in a collar, t, which is secured to the bolt. Before the bolt is permitted to move in a longitudinal direction, it is necessary to disengage the spring from its notch, and this purpose is effected by a bit, j, on the key, which raises the spring b as soon as the key is screwed on the bolt O sufficiently far to give it a rm hold.

Instead of screwing the key on the bolt, it might, however, be fastened thereto by other inea-ns, such as a notched plate, into which the key can be entered, and made to catch by means of its bit.

I do not wish to confine myself to the previous method of attaching the key to the bolt, such as shown in the drawings, but reserve 'the right to modify this part ot' my invention to said circumstances.

I/V hen the .bolt is drawn back against the action ot' the spring g, the cover or lid can be raised or opened, and as soon as this takes place a spring-stop, 7a, follows the socket e, and prevents the bolt from returning to its original position. This spring-stop is inclosed in a tubular projection secured to the case A, and its object is to retain the bolt, so that the cover or lid can be closed down without the necessityof pulling on the key. Then the cover or lid is closed down, the staple e strikes the spring-stop and depressesthe same, so

that thebolt is permitted to follow the action ot the spring g as soon as the ends of the hooks are opposite the holes or openings in the staples.

It is obvious that the number of hooks on the bolt can be increased to any desired 'extent, and a lock is obtained which fastens the cover or lid of a trunk or box throughout its whole length, and which can be easily applied and readily operated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The sliding spring-bolt B, provided with two or more hooks, c d, and with a suitable fastening for the key O atits end, in combina tion with the staples e f and withv said key,

constructed und operating substantially as and operating substantially as and for the and for the purpose set forth. purpose set forth.

2. rlhe spring l1, and notched collar fi, in The above specification of my invention combination with the sliding bolt B, key C, signed by me this 13th day of April, 1866. and btj, constructed' and operating substen- J. G. KAST.

tiztlly as and for the purpose described. Vitnesses:

3. The spring-stop 7c, in combination with WM. F. MCNAMARA, the staple e and spring-bolt B, constructed W. HAUFF. 

